DEOIDUODS LAWN TKEE9. 



DECIDUOUS LAWN TREES. 



OrR correspondent, Col. Jacques, wliose communication appears on another page, 

 asks : " Wliat are the twelve best deciduous trees for lawns and streets, in our cold 

 climates?" We thought it necessary to draw a line of distinction between lawn and 

 street trees, and gave in our last number a brief sketch of the leading characters of 

 what we regard as the best street trees. We now propose to offer, in answer to the 

 question, a few remarks on lawn trees. 



In landscape gardening, a lawn is a smoothly dressed and finished grass surface 

 attached more immediately to the dwelling. In every style of gardening it is intended, 

 in all its aspects and features, to represent the beautiful. A lawn — a smooth, 

 soft, verdant, "velvet lawn," as it is expressively styled — is itself one of the most 

 forcible illustrations of the beautiful; and its appropriate embellishments, whether 

 they be trees, shrubs, plants, or objects of art, should all be characterized by symme- 

 try, grace, and beauty. The rough and rugged, ■which in the landscape express the 

 picturesque, do not belong to the lawn, unless under peculiar circumstances. This 

 principle must not be lost sight of in selecting trees. 



Af^ain, lawns are of various dimensions, from the few square rods of the cottage 

 garden to that of the country residence, embracing several acres. This is another 

 important consideration ; for fitness is a principle that lies at the very foundation of 

 judicious planting, in all places and under every circumstance. A lofty, wide spread- 

 ing, magnificent elm, would be an object of beauty on grounds of a corresponding 

 amplitude ; but place it on a limited lawn, and its beauty would be destroyed by the 

 impression of unfitness which it would at first sight convey. Variety, too, is an 

 object that should be aimed at in planting lawns, as far as may be consistent with 

 good taste ; and this compels us to consider the dimensions of trees. 



There is also another consideration that should not be forgotten in selecting lawn 

 trees, and especially those to be planted in more immediate contact with the dwelling, 

 or in such a position as to strike the eye in connection with it. We shall only allude 

 to this at present. It is very well understood that certain forms of trees make better 

 contrasts, or are more in harmony with certain styles of architecture, than others. 

 Thus, it is very generally acknowledged that Grecian and Italian houses, or houses in 

 such styles as are characterized by horizontal lines, are relieved and exhibited to the 

 best advantage by spiry-topped trees, like the Lombardy poplar, the larch, the balsam 

 fir, Norway spruce, hemlock, (kc. ; while those of the Gothic character, with pointed 

 roofs, abounding in vertical lines, small ornaments, lightness, &c., are best shown in 

 contrast Avith trees of the round-headed, massive character, such as horse chestnuts, 

 lindens, maples, oaks, elms, the tulip tree, Arc. This is a consideration of some impor- 

 tance, too often entirely overlooked. The man who takes pains to adopt a particular 

 style of architecture, for its intrinsic value or its appropriateness to locality, should 

 be very careful in planting such trees around it, and in so arranging them as not to {P 

 destroy, but rather to bring out fully and boldly, the particular expression of his style, ^ 



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